North Branch Trail gets support from county council

In a Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting Monday, council members showed support for funding the [North Branch Trail project], according to Councilman Hans Riemer (D-At Large).

The project, which would connect larger trail systems in the county and greater metropolitan area, has been designed, and construction is expected to cost $4.29 million.

However, County Executive Isiah Leggett removed the North Branch Trail project from his proposed Capital Improvements Program budget through 2020 because of a lack of funds, said Amy Wilson, a management budget specialist in the county’s Office of Management and Budget.

The capital spending plan is now under consideration by the County Council, and several residents asked the council to fund the North Branch Trail project at a hearing Feb. 5.

But it may be bad news for those who support the Magruder Trail

Council staff and the Planning Board have recommended that the council fund the trails in the spending plan by moving funds from the Magruder Branch Trail to this project. This would delay the Magruder project, a .75 mile trail extension in Damascus, according to Planning Department staff. The Magruder project is in the early design phase.